By James B. Ewers Jr. Ed.D.
I have long suggested that the CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) puts on the greatest sporting event in the United States of America. As many already know, the CIAA was founded in 1912. This year’s CIAA Basketball Tournament was held from February 26th to March 2nd in Baltimore, Maryland. There aren’t enough superlatives to describe how great this weeklong event was.
The CIAA is the first and longest-running African-American athletic conference in the U.S. and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. It conducts more than 14 championships, attended by thousands of fans from across the country.
If you have been around HBCUs, you know the CIAA and its storied history. I am fortunate to have come of age in CIAA country. Being from Winston-Salem NC and growing up around the corner from Clarence (Big House) Gaines, my friends and I knew about this conference very early in our lives.
Early on, schools like Johnson C. Smith University (NC), of which I am a graduate, Winston-Salem Teachers College (now State University) (NC), and Virginia Union University (VA) were members.
At some point, I found out you could receive an athletic scholarship to go to college. Quite honestly, I didn’t know what to make of it and thought it was for other guys and not for me. Fortunately, I was wrong, and I did receive a scholarship to play college tennis.
I began going to CIAA basketball tournaments when I was in elementary school. The crowds, the players and the popcorn were simply the best. Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem was the place to be.
Upon reflection, seeing players like Freddie Neal, Cleo Hill, and Ted Blunt was inspiring. However, I know now that I was seeing great players performing at a high level. We also saw coaches like Clarence Gaines and John McClendon before they were legends.
Over time and with consistency, the CIAA basketball tournament has become a must-see event. The men’s and women’s teams are exciting to watch weekly. The CIAA also features workshops and empowerment seminars. High School students benefit from activities designed to help them with going to college.
Corporate sponsorships have also increased as companies realize investing in the CIAA is beneficial for them. Internships and scholarships help students to become successful. Games are being televised by ESPN which means more people are watching them and seeing the caliber of basketball played by CIAA schools. This year was no different.
Baltimore, Maryland called the Charm City displayed its warmth and hospitality a few weeks ago. The city pulled out the red carpet to make everyone feel welcome during our visit. Many local and state officials including Brandon Scott, mayor of Baltimore and Wes Moore, governor of Maryland were in attendance.
These Maryland ambassadors want the CIAA tournament to return to the city. Kudos to them for being present and for being fans. For the week, shuttle services were provided to and from the CFG arena for fans staying in nearby hotels.
The atmosphere in the arena was electric. Fans were wearing their school colors and talking about their college days. Pep bands and cheerleaders added to the revelry.
Lincoln University (PA) won the men’s tournament and Fayetteville State University (NC) won the women’s tournament. Johnson C. Smith University (NC) received the sportsmanship award.
The CIAA held its Hall of Fame ceremony on Friday, March 1st at the Baltimore Convention Center. It is named in honor of John McClendon. There were seven inductees, and I was one of them. The inductees were Anthony Blaylock (Winston-Salem State University \Football), Nastassia Boucicault (Shaw University\Women’s Basketball), Bill Dusenbery (Johnson C. Smith University\Football), James “Jimmy” Ewers (Johnson C. Smith University\Tennis), Antonio Pettigrew (St. Augustine University\ Men’s Track and Field), Norman Tate (N.C. Central University\Men’s Track and Field), and Joseph “Jo Jo” White (Livingstone College\Football).
Put the CIAA Basketball Tournament on your schedule for next year in Baltimore. It’s a great event and will be even better next year. See you there.
Dr. James B. Ewers, Jr. is a long- time educator who hails from Winston Salem, N.C. One of the top tennis players in the state, he was inducted into the Black Tennis Hall of Fame in January 2021. A graduate of Johnson C. Smith University, he received his M. A. degree in Education from Catholic University in Washington, DC, and Ed. D. degree in Education from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, MA. He has also done post-doctoral studies at Harvard University and Ewers is a life member of the NAACP and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
